Legislation would force quick updates to health insurance networks
By Monica Stabile New legislation in the Illinois Statehouse would require health insurance companies to quickly update provider networks. A pair of identical bills in the Illinois General Assembly target insurers whose customers are allegedly thrown into disarray when they find out too late that their doctor is no longer in the insurer’s coverage network.…
IAR requesting $1m in TIF for Bicentennial Plaza
Illinois Realtors is requesting $1 million in downtown TIF funds to remove a vacant bank building, enabling progress on a larger city project aimed at improving tourism. The $2.5-million IR project would facilitate the proposed Jackson Street Corridor, linking Abraham Lincoln’s home to the Illinois Capitol Complex. Illinois Realtors, based at 522 S. Fifth St.…
SBJ publisher Ownbey appointed to Mid-Illinois Medical District
Gov. Bruce Rauner today appointed Michelle Ownbey, associate publisher of the Springfield Business Journal, to the board of the Mid-Illinois Medical District in Springfield. “Ownbey’s economic experience will be influential in her new role,” said a statement from Rauner’s office announcing the appointment. The Mid-Illinois Medical District sits on the north end of Springfield’s downtown…
State budget grand bargain “still alive” despite setback
By Patrick Yeagle Illinois lawmakers are drawing closer to a “grand bargain” on the state budget crisis, despite the defeat today of one bill in the bargain package. Three of the 13 bills in the package passed the Illinois Senate today, while a fourth was defeated. However, the defeated bill may be reconsidered, and the…
From attorney to orchestras – Ken Lam’s journey back to his first love
By Patrick Yeagle Growing up in Hong Kong, Ken Lam was exposed to music at a young age. It’s common there for children to learn how to play many instruments, which Lam partly attributes to Hong Kong’s limited space. “We aren’t terribly good at sports,” he said with a laugh. Lam would go on to…
Illinois surrounded by ‘right to work’ states as Missouri adopts controversial policy
By Monica Stabile Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens signed legislation on Monday making Missouri the 28th right-to-work state, ending mandatory union membership and fees for workers. With Missouri the latest state to adopt a right-to-work zone, Illinois is now surrounded by right-to-work neighbors. However, a surprising voice in the Illinois business community says Illinois doesn’t need…
Langfelder will consider more cuts, but urges caution
Springfield mayor Jim Langfelder says he’s willing to consider further cuts to the city’s budget, but he cautions that the cuts may create other problems in the future. Langfelder spoke in response to a proposal released yesterday by seven of Springfield’s 10 aldermen to cut nearly $3.9 million from the city’s budget. The aldermen hope…
Aldermen propose cuts to lessen tax increase
Seven members of the Springfield City Council proposed a handful of budget cuts today, hoping to reduce Mayor Jim Langfelder’s proposed tax increase. The combined cuts would save more than $3.8 million in the current fiscal year, according to the aldermen. However, a spokeswoman for the mayor says the budget deficit can’t be filled with…
Having a tiff about TIF
By Thomas C. Pavlik Freelance Contributor Between the surveyor’s museum, the former Methodist church downtown, the YWCA, and Enos Park, everyone seems to be in a tiff about TIF. There have been many discussions lately among the aldermen and the general public about the most appropriate use of these funds. First, a bit of history…
Illinois could see boost from Cuba trade
By Monica Stabile The Illinois agriculture industry is crossing its fingers that Congress will expand U.S. trade with Cuba. A bill to do just that is pending in the legislature, and Illinois could receive a huge boost in business opportunities if the bill becomes law. Nestor Gutierrez, a Cuban immigrant and owner of Buena Vista…
Changing lives, one class at a time
By Rhonda Buckhold Freelance Contributor Pivotal moments in life often present as hard decisions– to do one thing or another, which will ultimately change life as you know it. Charles Davis realized he’d had that moment when he graduated from the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Highway Construction Careers Training Program in 2007 at the age…
Rauner hopeful in annual address, but budget deal elusive
By Monica Stabile Gov. Bruce Rauner says he is “deeply optimistic” about future investments in education, technology and business that he believes could generate jobs despite the state’s fiscal problems. Entering his third year in office, Rauner gave his annual State of the State address to lawmakers today, saying Illinois needs a budget to be…
C-level shakeup at Springfield Clinic
Springfield Clinic has a new CEO, but it’s just one of several changes in the medical provider’s administrative team. The clinic’s website on Tuesday showed that Ray Williams has replaced J. Michael Maynard in the CEO role. Maynard had served as interim CEO since July 2016 and had previously served as CEO for more than…
EPA grant freeze may affect Pillsbury Mill cleanup
A suspended program in the federal Environmental Protection Agency may affect the cleanup of a defunct industrial site on Springfield’s north side. On President Donald Trump’s first weekday in office, his administration halted a grant program inside the U.S. EPA, effectively suspending funds for a variety of programs like cleanup of polluted land. While EPA’s…
